Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-02-25
A Murder Avenged.

stand, and | tell you he was one of the
kindest and best fathers 10 Josie, which
was her right name. She was, at the
time am writing, Of about twenty years
of age, handsome, vivacious, well edu-
Gated and beloved by all. During the
winters she attended a seminary iE the
East, and had many friends in good So
ciety. Every summer she had a score
of would-be lovers following her about,
some belonging TO the show and some
outside of it, but that was the one touchy
point with old Thompson. He had been
father and mother and brother and sis
ter to that girl, and the idea of any COM
mon fellow trying to shine around her,
put his nose out of joint at once. He felt
she was worthy OF the best man in the
land, even if she did wear tights and
spangles part Of the year. what her
ideas on tire subject OF matrimony were
| do not know. She was IL born lady In
her demeanor, kind. hearted. gentle and
obedient, aud every one OF Us felt proud
of her. In this we were seconded by
Pompey. The great beast was such
friend Of hers that the father WAS actu-
ally jealous about it. There was never
a day that she did not pay him visit,
and she never approached that he did
not evince his great pleasure in dozen
ways.
One of our tumblers and acrobats that
season was a young fellow named Campi.
| remember he was down OIL the bills as
"Mons. Campi" or "SignoI Campi," "and
| think he was an Italian. He was
good. looking, dashing young fellow of
twenty-three, and we were no sooner
OH the road than lie fell in love with
Josie. She, perhaps, accepted it as a
matter of course, neither sighting nor
encouraging him, but when old Thomp-
son came 10 know about it he called the
young fellow aside and said:
''See, here, Campi, want to tell you
right now that my daughter will never
marry in the profession
'Is she, then, so much superior to all
others? 2" was the sneering inquiry.
"That is not the question. | have my
plans in regard 10 her, and it is useless
for you TO nurse your love. Be man
of sense, and let it stop ut friendship"
81 love Josie, and ! hope TO make her
my Wife"
You never can"
"Then it shall not be my fault"
This interview had taken place in the
presence of Pompey, and it might have
lasted longer but for bin. He may not
have conceived an aversion for Campi,
though elephants have their likes and
dislikes at first sight, the same as peo-
pie; but the young mans tones were
threatening, aud Pompey closed the in
terview by rushing at him with
scream. 1t was narrow escape for
Campi. The terrible trunk made VIC
ious sweep at him, and If he had not
been an acrobat and had seconds
warning, it would have been all day
with him. He beat hasty retreat,
mullering threats Of Vengeance, and for
a time the affair was ended. He ceased
his attentions to Josie, avoiding her as
much as possible, and prudence re
strained him from approaching Pompey.
The beast was continually OIL che watch
for him, seeming to nurse his wrath,
and thus matters went on for about four
weeks.
We were showing at Bloomington,
Ind. Half an hour before the evening
performance opened circumstances IA
vored Campi by giving him an opportu-
pitv for conversation with Josie at the
door of the dressing-roOm. He poured
out his protestations of love and rever-
ence. vowed that life without her would
not be worth living another hour, and
besought her TO elope with him. She
repulsed him with firm tones, and in
his ,assIon he drew knife and stabbed
her to the heart and fled. There was
all acridrptsl listener to the words, and
the same person also saw the blow
struck. You may believe there was the
greatest excitement as the news spread
among us. When Thompson was told
of il. he came AMI raised the dead body
of the girl in his arms and kissed the
fast paling cheeks. Then lie asked for
some garment belonging TO Campi, aud.
as he received il, he returned TO Pom
pey, unclaimed him, and the two went
forth into the night.
The body of the girl had not grown
/ cold when all the facts were given to
the police, who scaiteredin in every di-
| reetion in hopes Of securing the murder.